Another troller looking to get business

Got a message from Jon1 – through private message. He has no post, projects, blogs etc. He’s using this site for his business purposes. I think you should avoid him and let him get his own site. He’s advertising antique wood. I’ll be reporting him to Martin. But thought I’d warn the rest of you.

There is an increasing number of people joining in the last month, several hundred, and of those at least half I would call hit and run posters. There are others who’ve been here a long time that are the same way. They only post their projects and you don’t see any other activity from them. Of those many list a website of their business. Near as I can figure, there’s only actually about a few hundred really active posters here, most of whom aren’t here to advertise their businesses.

Yes, there’s been a lot of that going on lately! And it always starts with a direct e-mail. Like just this morning I got a “new woodworking buddy” of course they did not even exist! But then again that’s not the first time that’s happened to me! LOL!!! But I do believe the integrity of Lumberjocks as a fine and wonderful woodworking community is becoming somewhat tarnished, and I for one think it’s a crying shame! I get the e-mails from someone that sets up an account here and then they write you and tell you that you have just won a bunch of money from some other country. I have had that happen 4 times in the last year. I just immediately report those to Martin!

-- Allison, Northeastern Ca. Remember, Amateurs built the Ark. Professionals built the Titanic!

no need to take it personally though, it’s one of the internet’s open community’s itches for years… nothing new here.

I think that as a woodworking community here on LJ, we know who the ‘real’ people are (except for recently Bag-Boy unveiling his real personality…lol) and I think that’s what matters. we share our ideas, questions, experiences, and those that are here on a phantom status – really make no difference in any way- no need to shift focus to them… just keep on doing what we do.

I see this as a non point. If it wasn’t for people selling wood, where would patrons get material for their craft. Why should anyone not be allowed to use a free woodworking site to promote themselves. Is there more validity to one persons projects/posts over the other just because one chooses to comment on someones widget? There are all sorts of advertising banners on the site. As far as businesses posting projects and not contiributing to discussion, while I am guilty of that, I might add that time spent meandering WWing forums is time spent not woodworking. Breaks over, back to work.

Rhett – I’d have to disagree. This is a free site because Martin has done a good job of getting paying advertisers. If all a person is going to do is log on, get a bunch of names, pm them and then skidaddle – then they are stealing from Martin. If Martin does not shut them freeloaders down then he’ll eventually lose the paying advertisers and then this site would no longer be free for you and I to disagree. I don’t have any problem with people who have a business bringing it up on the forums from time to time, but this is a forum for sharing not selling. I also don’t mind people just posting a project and not contributing to the forums. There are a ton of lurkers who either don’t feel like they can contribute anything or are afraid to.

Maybe I’m missing something, but someone who wants to make a buck off of someone else’s hard work is not someone I want to buy from. (Yes, I know every employee is making bucks for their employers – but the employer and employee are in the boat together. Freeloaders on this site give nothing back to Martin’s business.)

There are literally people who post projects here that only say “I built this, I think I did a great job!” and you never hear from them again, until they post practically the same words with their next project. People ask questions and you never know what wood was used, what dims are, or anything. That’s what my peeve is about these people who are hit and runners.

I never see ads on this site, the way my browser is set up. BUT unlike many here, even long timers, I am a donor to keep this site going. I’m really surprised more of the people who have many projects here aren’t donors. I was thinking about this while out driving today, and it baffles me, because I take away a LOT of useful info and insight from other posters here. When they are willing to share.

I agree with Betsy. If all you’re going to do is advertise on this site, talk to Martin and pay for an ad spot. When I look at projects and forums I don’t mind that someone advertises that they have a mill or great lumber on their posts. It’s good to help each other out with resources. But if all you do is advertise instead of posting projects, commenting, checking out forums, or other activities, then you’re not really a member. This is supposed to be a community site.

By the way I have some prime swamp land in Florida for sale if anyone is interested. It’s a great investment opportunity. In a few million years it will be ready to produce oil.